Have a Strategy

At an evening event yesterday for students and professionals at a local university, I was asked to interact with students. The object for several of us professionals was to indirectly coach the soon-to-graduate students.

The one thing that kept coming up was: have a strategy.

A short list of things to include in your networking event strategy toolbox:

• Know when to arrive--early, on time, a little late.
• Know who you want to meet.
• Know how long you will talk with people--not too little or too long.
• Listen actively.
• Share information, don't dominate or give in, either.
• Know how to engage and disengage.
• Follow up.

Basic stuff but it is what a successful networking event is all about.

Relentless

Upcoming Dallas Networking Events

Meeting people is what this is all about for me. I love relating stories and sharing ideas in this forum, but I like even more to meet real people in real situations. I'll be getting to meet people up close and personal at the following events:

On Tuesday, April 13, Alice Dykeman (Dykeman and Associates) and I will be presenting at the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce's monthly installment of the Networking Skills Workshop. This month Alice and are are talking about and demonstrating body language. The program starts at 11:45. For more information and to RSVP, go to www.ndcc.org.

Panel discussions are great things to share ideas and hear new ones. I am on a panel for the Greater Dallas Chamber on Tuesday, April 20, at 6:00 pm, discussing social media. The panel includes Shama Kabani, Casey McConnell and Glenna Hecht. Great topic and even better networking www.dallaschamber.org.

I'll also be the University of Texas Dallas on Thursday, April 22. It's an open networking event starting at 5:00 pm. www.utdallas.edu.

Get out, get moving and, most of all, get connected.

Relentless

The ROI of an event

In choosing an event to attend, don't always go by the price. Consider the audience, the location, time of day and who invited you (so you can gauge other attendees). I'll give you two examples:

A local chapter of a professional organization holds monthly happy hours. The locations are fun, the parking is free, I get the first drink for free and I can't spend more than $10 at the door.

The publisher of the metro business journal holds periodic by-invitation receptions at some nice places. The guest list includes C-level execs and the attendance is limited. The fee is higher ($35) than most, but drinks and food are free (at least the first two).

What are the differences?

Let's start with price. While the $10-and-under fee is attractive, because it is monthly and not limited, I may see some of the same folks. Are they decisionmakers? Is it too cheap? Perhaps the higher price makes the other event attractive?

The guest list--limited or not, they are different driven by two things: invitation and the host. And also by price. Hey, it's cool to pay more--must be exclusive!

Who attends? In both cases, business leaders and followers from the community. While similar, they are different and are both worth attending. Whether you are a job seeker or someone seeking a business alliance, missing one or the otehr keeps you out of circulation.

But be strategic and think your reasons for attending (or not) through.

Relentless

Degrees of Separation

The lesson of how far we are of each other in degrees of separation became a reality last evening. And it was a lesson in recollection and "The 6 Degrees of Separation."

An alumni association friend invited me to join his cycling group for dinner. Now, Joe has been after me for a while to join this group. I have some cycling experience, but am out of practice. The group includes his bike group and their SOs who may or may not bike.

The dinner at the restaurant goes fine and then we gather at Joe's house for a few beers. After a short conversation with Lori, one of the cyclists, we both look at one another and say that we think we've met before.

What are the odds? Well, Lori and I had actually been to the same networking group a few months back and know the same people. While Joe had been set on me meeting this group, I had no idea that I already knew someone in it.

It pays to recall who you meet (directly or indirectly) and then to reconnect. All connections are important and the lost one is the one you may need.

Relentless

Fishing and Networking

It goes without saying that networking and fishing have a lot in common. Really.

There are three things to remember in each:

• Choose your spot. Where will the fishing be best? You know where the best fish hang out, go to them. Not sure if GPS works in networking, though. Shoreline or IABC happy hour?
• Have the right gear. That lightweight rig or the tie with the blue pattern, nightcrawlers or customized business cards?
• Know the species you are looking for. Walleye or CMO, Sunfish or IT guy, Crappie or C-level exec?

The analogy works, so keep these simple concepts in mind and you should be luck in both.

Relentless

It isn't really like this at events

Cynicism is running rampant on campus. I picked up a copy of my college newspaper when I returned recently to my alma mater for my son's graduation. In the comics section, this cartoon, by Ted Rall (www.rall.com) appeared. Being the networking event guy that I am, it caught my attention.

I do think Ted is insightful when it comes to the what recent or soon-to-be grads are experiencing. Also when it comes to writers and creatives, this could be a scene. However, I must say that I see a bit of a different mix: groups at networking events are usually a mix of thirds.

One third are job seekers. Yes, as they should be, they are out and about continuing to connect.

A second third are members of the organization that is hosting the event. They are there to mix and connect with their peers and friends.

The last third are employed networkers. These people are the ones who are looking ahead and also at today. They know the value of keeping in touch.

The value of an event is in who you meet and becoming a part of their network.

Relentless

Thanks to Ted Rall and "The Bulletin Board" and the Arizona Daily Wildcat